Certificate in Interior Decorating

You’re about to learn how you can train at home for a rewarding career as a Interior Decorator in you spare time, without attending classes. Just think, in as little as six months, you can earn a Career Certificate from Queens College Continuing Education Program.

You can have a challenging career, full of excitement…you can run your own decorating business, work for an established decorating firm or store, use your new skills and decorate your own house.

Now you can be a part of this rewarding profession – all you need is ambition, the desire to succeed, and the skills you’ll learn from the Interior Decorating Certificate Program.

Program Outline

Instruction Modules
Your program consists of six Instruction Modules written to take you step-by-step through the techniques and skills you'll use in your new career.
Here's how it works
 Your first Instruction Module will be sent immediately after your enrollment has been accepted. Other Instruction Modules will follow as you complete your exams, so that you will always have training materials to work with. Here is an overview of what you'll learn and the order in which you'll receive your lessons:

The program materials will be shipped in the approximate order listed below:

Instruction Module 1
Learning Strategies
The advantages of learning at home; types of study materials; types of examinations; accessing and using the features of our website; determining what kind of learner you are; establishing a study schedule; using study tips; preparing for and taking examinations.
Decorating Today
The history of interior decorating; meeting and interviewing clients; characteristics of a successful interior decorator; employment opportunities.
Shipment:
Photo Pack 1

Instruction Module 2
Meeting Your Client's Needs
Determining your client's needs, preferences, goals and budget priorities; developing a decorating plan, including measurements and room graphs to scale.
The Elements and Principles of Design
Identifying the elements of design: line, form, color and value, texture, pattern, light, and space. The principles of design: balance, proportion, and scale; emphasis and unity.
Designing With Furniture
Arranging rooms according to function and use; creating the best traffic patterns; positioning furniture on a floor plan; recognizing quality workmanship and construction in furniture.
Equipment:
Photo Pack 2
Tracing Paper
Furniture Templates
Client Needs Analyzer Forms
Independent Project Sheets
Supplement
Independent Project Instructions

Instruction Module 3
The Principles of Color
The properties of color; how to use color in interior decorating; planning a color scheme; using the color wheel.
Fabrics in Interior Decorating
Using natural and synthetic fabrics: silk, wool, cotton, linen, special fibers; identifying weaves; selecting the right fabric texture.
Fabrics in Interior Decorating
Using natural and synthetic fabrics: silk, wool, cotton, linen, special fibers; identifying weaves; selecting the right fabric texture.
Equipment:
Photo Pack 3
Color Wheel
Drawing Paper
Watercolor Set


Instruction Module 4
Floors
Importance of floors in room decor; carpeting; rugs; wood floors; durable floors; how to select the appropriate floor treatment; measuring, scaling, and using a floor plan.
Walls
How to treat walls in decorating; wall coverings, including wallpaper, paint, murals, mirrors, paneling, and tile; drawing scaled elevations.
Windows
Different types of windows; planning and choosing window treatments - curtains, draperies, shades, and blinds; window treatments for special occasions.
Equipment
Photo Pack 4
Scale Ruler
Triangle
T-Square
Graph Paper


Instruction Module 5
Lighting and Accessories
The three types of lighting; lighting and the color scheme; making use of lamps and lighting fixtures in decorating; using wall and table accessories; tips for arranging accessory groupings.
Identifying Furniture Styles, Periods, and Quality
Exploring different furniture styles - Traditional, Provincial, Contemporary, Modern - from the 17th to the 20th century; identifying styles and integrating each into your rooms.
Decorating from Building Plans
Identifying decorating problems when reading blueprints; types of housing plans; evaluating house plan layouts; discussing specific decorating problems and solutions, room-by-room.
Equipment:
Photo Pack 5

Instruction Module 6
The Skills and Methods of Selling
Qualifying a client; how to "approach" a customer; how to present merchandise; developing a follow-up system; how to prospect for clients.
Starting Your Own Business
Residential and contract decorating; developing a design program; working with clients, subcontractors, trades people, custom fabricators, and suppliers; advertising, charging clients, and getting paid; keeping financial records.
Supplements:
Interior Decorators' Handbook
Work Experience Option
Work Experience Option Forms

Final Examination

Graduation Module
Paid six-month Certified Interior Decorator® (CID) professional membership upon successful completion of certification exam.

PROGRAM OVERVIEW

Learn the skills you need to become an Interior Decorator— at home, at your own pace, with Queens College Continuing Education Program.
With the help from Penn Foster Career School, Queens College Continuing Education Interior Decorator Program and work for homebuilders, retailers, hotels, corporate clients, or even start your own business. It's convenient, affordable, and accredited. Train quickly and conveniently through distance learning.

You'll learn to:
Determine your client's needs and priorities.
Use the elements and principles of design and color.
Choose the best treatments for floors, walls, and windows.
Start and operate your own business as an Interior Decorator.

Career Outlook

Your New Career
Opportunities for trained Interior Decorators are everywhere...in department and furniture stores, design firms, hotel and restaurant chains, and more. Home builders with new homes to sell all offer opportunities for interior decorators to work their magic and make excellent salaries. Imagine using your own creativity and sense of style to earn great money in a career you truly enjoy.
Interior Decorators can also enjoy the independence and flexibility of operating their own businesses. They take on the jobs they want and plan their own schedules. They set their own fees and keep the profits to invest in their business or spend as they see fit. You too can enjoy career independence when you choose this exciting career!
The U.S. Department of Labor predicts that jobs for Interior Decorators will grow 22% by 2012.*
Your New Skills .
Earn your Career Diploma at home in as little as six months by studying just an hour a day for your new career. You'll learn the important skills you need to be a Interior Decorator:

Learn the skills you need to begin a career in interior design by completing the Interior Decorator training program at home.
You'll learn every important part of being an Interior Decorator such as:
You'll learn to analyze your clients' preferences, needs, goals, and budgets to develop a decorating proposal.
You'll learn to design with furniture, arranging rooms according to function and use.
.
You will understand how to plan a color scheme and the importance of lighting.
You'll discover how to select the appropriate floor and window treatments for your projects.
You'll also learn the skills and methods of successful selling.

Experience Education Direct

Queens College makes sure that the Education Direct at-home learning experience is an easy, convenient way to get your Career Certificate. From the time you enroll, right through to completion, we’ll guide you every step of the way – nothing is left to chance or guessing. Here’s how easy it is to learn through distance education:
You learn at home and never need to enter a classroom! Study using textbooks and materials that are delivered to your door.
Complete your exams at your leisure.
Even though you train at home, you’re not alone! Education Direct has a network of instructors and support staff in place, ready to help. Contact them in the way that you find most convenient and comfortable. You may at you leisure discuss problems that you are having with an instructor or a member of the Thomson Education Direct Staff. Check your last exam grade or student status with just a click of your mouse, or e-mail your instructor.

Certificate

When you have completed Interior Decorator Certificate Program you will be sent a certificate of completion from Queens College Continuing Education Program. With your certificate in hand, you can start your freelance business or work were you’ll be ready to build you future!

Enrollment

The following are requirements for the Interior Decorating Certificate Program:
The student must be at least 18 years of age.

The Student must have a High School Diploma/GED.

Take the first step toward an exciting, new career as a Interior Decorator, today. It’s easy! Enroll today by just clicking below.
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